‘The Walking Dead’ Pulled Out The Hearts And Guts Of Fans During The Mid-Season Premiere

The Walking Dead is back for the second half of its season eight run, and we’ve spent the past three months knowing Carl is gonna die. That’s a lot of psychic sadness us fans have been carting around through the winter, and it all leaked out on the internet during the mid-season premiere. There was no bait and switch, no magic dumpster escape. Rick’s son, who has been with us since the very beginning of the season, expired during the episode and people got pretty emotional.

— Katie Frey (@kfrey13) February 26, 2018

Oh my #TheWalkingDead #RIPCarl pic.twitter.com/l3f4doaaF2

— Denise (@DizzyDenise23) February 26, 2018

I like this song, but it's no "Easy Street."#TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/DIORc2QoCa

— Pieter J. Ketelaar 3 (@PieterJKetelaar) February 26, 2018

If the bite don’t kill him the music will. #TheWalkingDead

— Hershel Greene (@HershelGreene1) February 26, 2018

Michonne: I know a place we can take him and he’ll be healed. The most technologically advanced nation in the world.

Rick: Not this again.#TheWalkingDead

— Reagan Gomez (@ReaganGomez) February 26, 2018

Maybe Rick can keep zombie Carl around, like how Shaun got to keep zombie Ed around to play video games. #TheWalkingDead #TWD pic.twitter.com/3Qc9QuVYI7

— Matthew Ligocki (@MLigocki6f7) February 26, 2018

But don’t forget, it’s still ‘All Out War’ going on everywhere else. And while things aren’t looking too good for Rick’s ragged band of zombie apocalypse survivors, at least they still have a Carol and Clear Mode Morgan on their side. Who needs more than that, really

— Brittney M-M (@BrittTalks) February 26, 2018

Morgan: Knock Knock

Savior: who’s there

Morgan: My stick bitch#TheWalkingDead

— Daryl Dixon (@BAMFDarylDixon_) February 26, 2018

Morgan and Carol is the buddy movie we never knew we needed. These two maniacs are going to WERK. #TheWalkingDead #DemDeadz

— Middle Aged Gambino (@bored_in_jersey) February 26, 2018

Negan: I have the most gruesome kills ever on #TheWalkingDead

Morgan: Hold my f-cking beer

— Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavisBD) February 26, 2018

How Carol and Ezekiel looked at Morgan. #TheWalkingDead #DemDeadz pic.twitter.com/RPdzbefqn9

— ESSENCE (@Essence) February 26, 2018

S1 Morgan: can't kill his wife, shaking, crying

S8 Morgan: literally rips out a man's intestines#twd #TheWalkingDead

— Tara (@sonnentreppe) February 26, 2018

And then there were more flash-forward fever dreams with Old Man Rick and … Eugene

— Johanna (@artistsreward) February 26, 2018

But let’s get back to the heartwrenching process of Carl dying and saying goodbye to Judith.

— Johanna (@artistsreward) February 26, 2018

Judith right now #TheWalkingDead #DemDeadz pic.twitter.com/FyglTriCMU

— B E A N Z (@PhotosByBeanz) February 26, 2018

Does little asskicker even speak human I feel like no one’s really been raising her. #TheWalkingDead #DemDeadz

— Team Skull's Theme Music (@theyseemetweetn) February 26, 2018

Gorgeous shot. #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/t2lfpvQ19k

— Dalton Ross (@DaltonRoss) February 26, 2018

Welp, I’m all cried out at this point. I suppose it’s foolish to think The Walking Dead won’t keep punching us in the gut emotionally over and over this season, but they’re running out of Carls to kill. Let’s hope we get a few bumper episodes full of the right kind of deaths. Some extra stanky walkers. Some Saviors. Maybe the entire Junk Yard Gang Now there’s my Old Man Rick fantasy right there.